Treatment of edible crops

Abstract

In the growing of crops for consumption, a method for the removal of pathogens includes the addition to irrigation water for the crops of an anti-pathogen composition and supplying the anti-pathogen composition to the crops prior to harvest while normal irrigation is effected. The anti-pathogen composition is based on halogens, such as chlorine, bromine and iodine, or mixtures of halogens or halogens combined with other organic radicals including cyanurate, hydantoin, peroxide and chlorine dioxide. BCDMH and TICA are preferred anti-pathogen components of the anti-pathogen composition and may be added to a carrier concentrate and measured and dosed into the irrigation water.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for removing pathogens from crops being grown and intended for human consumption, comprising the steps of:
 providing an anti-pathogenic composition to irrigation water for crops being grown and intended for human consumption, the anti-pathogenic composition comprising a silica drier and a halogen-based component comprising bromochlorodimethyl-hydantoin, wherein the amount ranges from 5 to 100 ppm as chlorine, the anti-pathogenic composition being in a solution having a non-toxic solvent with a high molecular weight; 
 metering the addition of the anti-pathogenic composition when in the solution comprising the non-toxic solvent into the irrigation water, wherein the anti-pathogenic composition comprising bromochlorodimethyl-hydantoin ranges from 5 to 100 ppm as chlorine; and, 
 applying the irrigation water to the crops prior to harvesting thereof. 
 
     
     
       2. The method for removing pathogens from crops being grown and intended for human consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the halogen-based component includes a halogen compound having chlorine with bromochloro-dimethyl-hydantoin being included in an amount ranging from 5 to 22.5 ppm as chlorine, and with a withholding period of 15 minutes. 
     
     
       3. The method for removing pathogens from crops being grown and intended for human consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the halogen-based component includes a halogen compound having chlorine with bromochloro-dimethyl-hydantoin being included in an amount ranging from 50 to 100 ppm as chlorine, and with a withholding period of 60 minutes. 
     
     
       4. The method for removing pathogens from crops being grown and intended for human consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the solvent for said anti-pathogen composition is di-acetone alcohol. 
     
     
       5. The method for removing pathogens from crops being grown and intended for human consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the solvent for said anti-pathogen composition is a non-toxic, biodegradable, water-soluble solvent. 
     
     
       6. The method for removing pathogens from crops being grown and intended for human consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the solvent for said anti-pathogen composition is a non-toxic glycol alcohol. 
     
     
       7. The method for removing pathogens from crops being grown and intended for human consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the solvent for said anti-pathogen composition is a non-toxic glycol ether.